KØBENHAVNS MUSEUM / MUSEUM OF COPENHAGEN

Aksel Møllers Have

KBM 3847, Frederiksberg Kommune, Sankt Lukas Sogn,

Sokkelund Herred, Københavns Amt

Kulturstyrelsen j.nr.: 2010-7.24.02/KBM-0015

CLAES HADEVIK

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Museum of Copenhagen

Vesterbrogade 59

1620 København V

Telefon: +45 33 21 07 72 Fax: +45 33 25 07 72

E-mail: museum@kff.kk.dk

www.copenhagen.dk

Cover picture: The Classenske Boliger in 1925. View from Godthåbsgade. Photo: Museum of Copenhagen.

© Museum of Copenhagen 2015

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Contents

Contents .................................................................................................... 3

1 Abstract/Resumé ................................................................................. 4

2 Introduction .......................................................................................... 6

2.1 Proposed Development ......................................................................................... 6

2.2 Legislative Framework ........................................................................................... 6

2.3 Administrative Data ............................................................................................... 7

3 Topography and historical background ................................................ 9

4 Archaeological background ................................................................ 10

5 Archaeological potential and aims ..................................................... 18

6 Methodology ......................................................................................... i

6.1 Excavation and documentation ........................................................................... 12

6.2 Finds registration ................................................................................................. 12

7 Results 14

7.1 Preservation 14

7.2 Archaeological Results 14

7.3 Summary 17

References 18

Appendices i

Finds ii

List of contexts vi

List of images vi

List of finds vi

Consultant report - radiocarbon analysis vii

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1 Abstract/Resumé

On the occasion of establishing a Metrocityringen subway station at Aksel

Møllers Have, Museum of Copenhagen has from March to December 2012

conducted watching briefs as archaeological pre investigations (figure 1, table 1).

The survey revealed a large pit dated by 14C-analysis to Pre Roman Iron Age and

a topsoil layer.

Archaeological periods: Pre Roman Iron Age, Modern time Features: Extraction pit, Topsoil layer Key words: macrofossil analysis, 14C-analysis, Copenhagen suburbs

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Figure 1. Aksel Møllers Have. Location of investigation site (red star).

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2 Introduction

2.1 Proposed Development

On the occasion of establishing a Metrocityringen subway station at Aksel

Møllers Have, Museum of Copenhagen has from March to December 2012

conducted watching briefs as archaeological pre investigations (figure 2).

Museum archaeologists were Claes Hadevik (field leader), Niels Andreasen,

Christina Hildebrandt Jørgensen (student), Andreas Bonde Hansen, John

Howorth, Nanna Laksø (student), Jacob Mosekilde, Mie Pedersen, Anthony

Ruter, Karen Green Therkelsen, Tina Villumsen, Stine Damsbo Winther, Stine

Wozniak. Developer of the project was the Metro Company, and the construction

work was conducted by C.G. Jensen A/S.

This report, along with its figures, was produced by Claes Hadevik. Macrofossil

analysis was conducted by Mette Marie Hald, Nationalmuseet, and radiocarbon

analysis was executed by Göran Skogh and Mats Rundgren, Lund University

Radio Carbon Dating Laboratory, Sweden.

All relevant documentation is archived, and the finds material is curated, by

Museum of Copenhagen.

2.2 Legislative Framework

The watching brief will follow guidelines required by Kulturstyrelsen (Danish

Agency for Culture; in KUAS Vejledning 2010) and Danish Museum law

(Bekendtgørelse af museumsloven nr. 1505). Standards for investigations carried

out by Copenhagen Museum are stated within a document covering the overall

archaeological design aspects of the Cityring project which was approved by

KUAS in the autumn of 2009 and in June 2010 (Project Design 2009).

According to Danish legislation, no research financed by the developer, in this

case the Metro Company, will be carried out. The end product of the excavation

is working statements and site reports, which contains empirical conclusions and

basic cultural historical interpretations. For the smaller of the Metro Cityring

excavations (named Categories 2 and 3 in the preparations work for the project)

there will also be produced a joint report which will highlight the most interesting

cultural historical results from the excavations (called “Bygherrerapport”). Further

archaeological research and analysis can only be carried out under separate

funding. This complies with statements in the Danish Museums law

(Bekendtgørelse af museumsloven nr. 1505). Construction work that involves

excavation can be temporarily stopped in accordance with Museum Act § 26

(protection of ancient monuments).

Museum of Copenhagen was contacted well in advance, so that a test excavation

could take place before the construction work was initiated. The Metro Company

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agreed on the further details with Kulturstyrelsen and the Museum of

Copenhagen.

2.3 Administative Data

On completion of the fieldwork, Museum of Copenhagen produced a concise

interpretative report on the archaeological results of the excavation (this report),

which includes an outline of the historical and archaeological contexts and a

summary of the results. A copy of this report was distributed to the Metro

Company and to Kulturstyrelsen.

The documentary archive relating to the fieldwork is kept in the Museum of

Copenhagen. All digital records are filed in the IntraSIS database program.

Kulturstyrelsen case ID 2010-7.24.02/KBM-0015

KBM ID and internal case ID KBM 3847, case ID 1980

County København

District Sokkelund

Municipality Fredriksberg

Parish Sankt Lukas

Duration of field work phase 05-03-2012–13-12-2012

Museum archaeologists

Claes Hadevik (field leader), Niels Andreasen, Christina Hildebrandt Jørgensen (student), Andreas Bonde Hansen, John Howorth, Nanna Laksø (student), Jacob Mosekilde, Mie Pedersen, Anthony Ruter, Karen Green Therkelsen, Tina Villumsen, Stine Damsbo Winther, Stine Wozniak

Area (m2) and % of estimation 1 941 m

2 (39 %)

Volume (m3) and % of estimation 1 570 m

3 (51 %)

Coordinate system DKTM 3

Height system DVR 90

X-coordinates 1173683–1173804

Y-coordinates 649202–649290

Meters above sea level 11,1–11,9 m.ö.h.

Construction work by C.G. Jensen A/S

Developer The Metro Company I/S

Table 1. Aksel Møllers Have. Technical and administrative data.

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Figure 2. Aksel Møllers Have. Location of investigation site along with earlier archaeological excavations and observations in the area (see also table 2). The map also shows the approximate locations of the former medieval villages Nyby and Solbjerg (according to Christophersen 1985).

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3 Topography and historical background

By the time of the investigation the site was partly a street and partly a park area in the centre of Fredriksberg municipality. It formed a gentle slope from an altitude of 11.9 meters above sea level in the southern parts, down to 11.0 m in the north. The upper parts of the natural geology consisted of ice age clayey moraine, starting at a level of 0.5 m below the street surface.

Up to the mid 19th century the area formed a rural agricultural landscape near the former medieval villages Nyby and Solbjerg (fig. 2).

With the intentions of providing decent dwellings for the working class, the Classenske Boliger was built on the site between the years 1866 and 1881 (fig. 3). Due to questionable maintenance, the demolition of this large block of buildings started already in 1915, but it wasn’t completed until 1959. In 1966 the area was transformed into a park, which was given the name Aksel Møllers Have (Aksel Møller’s Park), after the late mayor of the Fredriksberg municipality (Tønnesen & Smidt 1991, s. 298 f.).

Figure 3: The Classenske Boliger in 1925. View from Godthåbsgade. Photo: Museum of Copenhagen.

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4 Archaeological background

In 2002 the Museum of Copenhagen conducted an archaeological investigation at Sylows Allé, some 600 m south for Aksel Møllers Have. It revealed postholes and pits, possibly dating from the Iron Age (Christiansen 2002).

Only a few other archaeological observations have been made in the surrounding areas, mainly regarding prehistoric features (fig. 2, tab. 2).

Year Location KBM-nr Observation

- Fredriksberg Hospital (A) - Grave mound, not dated (SB 020306-

30)

1963 Telefonhuset (B) - Early neolithic settlement site (SB

020306-63)

1994 Godthåbsvej 24 (C) - 19th c. brick well

2002 Sylows Allé (D) KBM 2526 Iron age pits and post holes (SB

020306-240)

2008 Folkvarsvej (E) - Viking age stray find (SB020306-185)

2012 Nørrebroparken KBM 3845 No archaeological observations

2012 Nørrebro Station KBM 3836 20th c. levelling layers

Table 2. Earlier archaeological excavations and observations (see also figure 2).

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5 Archaeological potential and aims

Since there have been found remains of an Iron Age settlement in a nearby area,

similar features from the Iron age or from other prehistoric periods could

potentially be found at Aksel Møllers Have. The investigation also had potential to

reveal traces of the Classenske Boliger. Taken into consideration the distance to

the nearest former villages, medieval or other post medieval remains were less

likely to be found.

Any prehistoric or medieval structure would be of great archaeological

importance and therefore subjected to thorough investigation and documentation.

The Classenske Boliger, however, is barely to be considered as an

archaeological feature and thus only to be documented on a basic level.

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6 Methodology

6.1 Excavation and documentation

The pre-investigation was conducted as a watching brief. One or two

archaeologists supervised the construction work with the full opportunity to stop

the work and implement necessary investigations and documentation.

Contexts were documented according to the single context methodology with

GPS equipment allowing the highest precision possible.

The archaeological documentation material is registered in the digital InraSiS

database K2012:06.

6.2 Finds registration

A special Museum of Copenhagen template has been used for the finds

registration. The following parameters have been used: Name, Material, Type,

Fragmentation, Number, Weight, Dating and Find category. Name is a short

description concerning material, type, fragmentation and find category. Type

refers to the original shape and type that the find represents. Number is the

number of sherds or fragments, not regarding how many original objects it

represents. Measurements have only been registered if it is an intact or nearly

intact object, or if it is decided relevant in any other matter. Dating refers to

periods defined by Nationalmuseet.

Finds registration has been conducted according to the following principles:

Sherds or fragments associated to one individual object are registered

under one finds object ID-number (FO-number)

Sherds or fragments identical in material, colour, type of shape and

decoration, are registered together, on the condition that they also are

related to the same context

In all other cases each object or sherd/fragment is given one individual

FO-number

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Figure 4. Aksel Møllers Have. Investigation areas and archaeological contexts.

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7 Results

7.1 Preservation

The development area was up to 118 meters long and 70 meters wide, making 4 915 m2 in total (fig. 4). However, before the archaeologists were contacted the top soil over a large part of the area had already been taken away, which reduced the surveyed area down to 1 941 m2.

Stratigraphic objects Number

Cut (S1017) 1

Fill (S1024, S1025) 2

Modern disturbance (S1023) 1

Topsoil layer (S1069) 1

Sum 5

Table 3. Aksel Møllers Have. Stratigraphic objects.

7.2 Archaeological results

The survey revealed only two archaeological contexts – a Pre Roman Iron Age extraction pit and an old topsoil layer (tab. 3).

Extraction pit S6

When the archaeologists were notified of the start of the construction work, the excavation for the guide wall had already started. In the trench wall a dark area, that contrasted sharply to the surrounding natural geology, was observed (fig. 4). After some investigation it became obvious that it was a large pit (fig. 5), probably of prehistoric origin, suggested by the pot sherds that were found when the section was cleaned (see below, fig. 5). The remains of the pit was not excavated, but left in situ.

The fill (S1024) was sampled (P1027) in order to extract organic matter for radio carbon analysis. The sample was at first subjected to macrofossil analysis. Two barley kernels (Hordeum vulgare) and two unidentified grain fragments (Cerealia indet.) were found in the sample. The two barley kernels were submitted for radio carbon analysis, which resulted in a date to Early Pre Roman Iron Age (tab. 4).

Lab. ID-nr

Sample Context 14

C-date BP 2δ Cal. date 1δ Cal. date Material

LuS-10394

1027 Fill 1024 (S6) 2225 +/- 50 395–175 BC 375–205 BC

Macrofossils, Barley

(Hordeum vulgare)

Table 4. Aksel Møllers Have. Result of 14

C-analysis.

The size and shape of the pit, along with the state of the surrounding natural geology, suggest the primary use as for extracting the moraine clay. The clay is not good enough for pottery production, but the composition is appropriate for use in e.g. wattle and daub. The 14C-date of the barley kernel is likely to be valid also for the fill and the pit.

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Topsoil S7

As indicated above, it was possible only to investigate a small part of the topsoil layer (fig. 4), which originally must have covered vast areas. The layer (S1069) consisted of humic, silty sand with occasional inclusions of demolition debris. The depth of the layer was c. 0.5 m.

A few finds, mostly ceramics, were collected. Most of the finds probably date from the 19th or early 20th century, even though some of them may be somewhat older (see below).

Since the area up until the mid 19th century was a part of an agricultural landscape, the layer clearly represents plant cultivation, pasture and general rural activity. The finds material, however, represents the households of working class people during the Classenske Boliger era, i.e. late 19th and early 20th century.

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Figure 5. Aksel Møllers Have. Section of Pre Roman Iron age extraction pit S6.

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7.3 Summary and Assessment

Preservation conditions were generally very bad, because of the development

work during the last 150 years. Within areas that have not been heavily affected,

however, the conditions were good. The archaeological remains were very much

in line with what could be expected for this area.

Even though prehistoric pottery is not very common in the Copenhagen area, the

few small sherds found are of little significance and do not, in isolation, bear any

potential for further research. The more modern material is also small and very

much what to expect in a 19th/20th century southern Scandinavian urban or sub-

urban environment. It bears very little research potential on its own, but could be

used as a part of a larger comparison between material from different parts of

Copenhagen, to give new information about the general development of

consumption and production in the city.

Since the excavation went down below the level of any possible archaeological

remains, the area is no longer of any antiquarian interest. The presence of an

Early Iron Age extraction pit, however, strongly indicates the possibility of further

prehistoric settlement remains in the surrounding areas.

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References

Literature

Christophersen, A. 1985. København og omegn gennem 6000 år. En kortlægning af de arkæologiske interesseområder i Københavns Kommune. København.

Tønnesen, A. & Smidt, C.M. 1991. Fredriksberg. I: København før og nu – og aldrig, bind 12. Red B. Bramsen. København.

Archaeological reports

Christiansen, G. 2002. Beretning for Sylows Allé/Solbjergvej – KBM 2526. Museum of Copenhagen.

Appendices

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Finds report

The finds material was very small and consisted of a variety of ceramics and a

single metal object (tab. 1, 2).

Material Number Weight (g)

Ceramics 17 191,5

Metal 1 49,5

Sum 18 241

Table 1. Aksel Møllers Have. Finds.

Ceramics

The ceramics are both local and foreign, and dates from prehistoric time up to c.

1900 (tab. 2).

Id Name N W (g) Dating Context

100008 Prehistoric pottery 5 17,5 Pre Roman Iron age 1024

100009 China plate, "Willow"pattern 1 8,5 Modern time 1069

100010 China plate, blue pattern 1 3 Modern time 1069

100011 Aluminia, "Jenny"pattern 1 3 Modern time 1069

100012 Royal Copenhagen, ”Musselmalet” 1 41 Modern time 1069

100013 Late redware 1 15,5 Late post-medieval 1069

100014 Late redware, slip 1 19,5 Late post-medieval 1069

100015 Late redware, ”Bornholm faience" 1 45 Modern time 1069

100016 Stoneware, greyish 1 8,5 Post medieval 1069

100017 Stoneware, salt glaze 1 5,5 Modern time 1069

100018 Late greyware 3 24,5 Post medieval 1069

Sum

17 191,5

Table 2. Aksel Møllers Have. Ceramic finds.

In the fill of the Pre Roman Iron Age extraction pit S6 (see above, 7.2) a few very

small fragments of prehistoric pottery were found (tab. 2, fig. 1). The sherds

themselves don’t reveal enough characteristics to provide a more precise dating.

However, the sherds and the pit are most likely to be contemporary.

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Figure 1. Prehistoric pottery from the extraction pit S6 (FO 100008).

The ceramics from the top soil layer S7 (see above, 7.2) are mainly from the late

19th and early 20th centuries. A few sherds of late greyware (fig. 2) and late

redware, however, may be slightly older. Together with some sherds from the

Copenhagen factories Kongelige porcelænsfabrik (Royal Copenhagen) and

Aluminia they represent local production. Non local production is represented by

the Willow pattern (fig. 3), which originates from China, but was first established

in England c. 1800. The pattern was used by several English and European

factories, when the transfer painting technique was developed in the early 19th

century. Another example of non local production is the “Bornholm faience” (fig.

4), which technically isn’t faience, but yellowish earthenware with transparent

lead glaze, influenced by the more renowned English Creamware, which was first

produced in the second half of the 18th century.

Metal finds

The only non ceramic find from the site is an oval shaped piece of heavily

corroded iron, that may be a part of a buckle (fig. 5). It can’t be given a more

precise dating, but probably it is fairly modern, regarding the datings of the

ceramic finds.

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Figure 2. Post medieval late greyware rim sherds (FO 100018).

Figure 3. European 19th century Willow pattern china plate (FO 100009).

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Figure 4. “Bornholm faience”. Late 19th century bowl shaped mould for aspic (FO 100015).

Figure 5. 19th c. Iron buckle (FO 100019).

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List of contexts

Id Name Subclass L(m) W(m) H/D(m) Basic interpretation Dating

2 Surface level Phase

3 Machining Phase

4 Bottom of trench Phase

5 Natural geology Phase

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Group

Extraction pit Early Iron age

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Group

Topsoil Modern time

1017 Cut 3,5 1 1 Extraction pit Early Iron age

1023 Deposit 2 2 0,2 Disturbance Modern time

1024 Deposit 3,5 1 1 Fill Early Iron age

1025 Deposit 0,6 0,2 0,3 Fill Early Iron age

1069 Deposit >10 >10 0,5 Topsoil Modern time

List of images

Image Id

Name Photographer Date of Image

Facing Type of Motif Contex/Find

ID

100001 C115_1107 KT 050312 W Context 6

100002 C115_1108 KT 050312 W Context 6

100003 C115_1109 CH 050312 W Context 6

100004 C115_1110 CH 050312 N Context 6

100005 C115_1111 CH 070312 W Overview 7

100027 C115_1473 CH 231012

Find 100008

100028 C115_1474 CH 231012

Find 100018

100029 C115_1475 CH 231012

Find 100009

100030 C115_1476 CH 231012

Find 100015

100031 C115_1477 CH 231012

Find 100019

List of finds

Id Name N W (g) Dating Context

100008 Prehistoric pottery 5 17,5 Pre Roman Iron age 1024

100009 China plate, "Willow"pattern 1 8,5 Modern time 1069

100010 China plate, blue pattern 1 3 Modern time 1069

100011 Aluminia, "Jenny"pattern 1 3 Modern time 1069

100012 Royal Copenhagen, ”Musselmalet” 1 41 Modern time 1069

100013 Late redware 1 15,5 Late post-medieval 1069

100014 Late redware, slip 1 19,5 Late post-medieval 1069

100015 ”Bornholm faience" 1 45 Modern time 1069

100016 Stoneware, greyish 1 8,5 Post medieval 1069

100017 Stoneware, salt glaze 1 5,5 Modern time 1069

100018 Late greyware 3 24,5 Post medieval 1069

100019 Iron buckle 1 49,5 Post medieval 1069

Sum

18 241

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Consultant report – radio carbon analysis

viii